Robert "Bill" H. Crumpley, age 82, of rural Osawatomie, Kansas, died Thursday, March 19, 2009 at the Life Care Center in Osawatomie.

Bill was born September 16, 1926 at Osawatomie, Kansas. He was the older of two children born to Horace and Margaret (Pulliam) Crumpley. He grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1944.

Bill served his country with the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. His military duty began November 8, 1945. He flew as an aerial photographer with the First Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in the European Theater. He operated aerial cameras, photographing terrain and installations of Europe. Bill was honorably discharged November 2, 1949 and then attended college at Kansas State University.

He was married to Helyn Ann Kieffer on June 19, 1951 at Independence, Kansas. They made their home in Independence for approximately ten years and then moved to Osawatomie. They became the parents of five children. Bill lost his best friend and partner of 47 years when his wife Helyn died in 1997.

Bill worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a conductor. He retired in 1987.

His favorite pastime was spending time with his family. He also really enjoyed fly fishing and tying flies. Boating, water skiing, traveling in their RV, playing dominoes, and shooting pool were some of his other hobbies.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Osawatomie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helyn, and his daughter Renea Crumpley who died in 2005.

He is survived by his son Rob Crumpley and his wife Dawn of Paola; three daughters Rhonda Singer and her husband Doug of Osawatomie, Rochelle Folks and her husband Steve of Osawatomie; and Rae Ann Roberts and her husband Christopher of Paola; his sister Erma Matteson of Hanford, California; 13 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie with military honors. He will lie in state after 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Memorials are to the American Cancer Society.